Practicing Biblical Patience: The Virtue of Patience

"But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth." - Psalm 86:15

Growing up, I would hear "Remember, patience is a virtue." Virtue is a big word for a little kid and patience is difficult to practice at any age. I was struck the other day, while reading The Imitation of Christ, at Thomas à Kempis's insight into the correlation between patience and suffering. He says "the better you dispose yourself to suffer, the more wisely you act and the greater is the reward promised to you. Thus, you will suffer more easily if your mind and habits are diligently trained to it." He then goes on to say that true suffering, no matter the situation, must take into consideration the virtue of patience and the One who will reward it; otherwise, you are judging the person and the offense committed.

After reading that, I remembered the phrase I had honestly forgotten, that "patience is a virtue". This caused me to admit to myself and God that I haven't been patient nor virtuous lately. What really is a virtue? I think if you ask someone on the spot what virtue means they probably would have a difficult time defining it.

Understanding Virtue and Practicing Biblical Patience

The word virtue comes from the Latin virtus, which originally referred to qualities like strength, valor, and moral excellence. The Latin root vir means "man," reflecting the ancient Roman ideal of manliness as a combination of courage and moral integrity. In modern society, living a virtuous life is reductively considered "being good". Virtue cannot simply mean "being a good person"; practicing true virtue can only be done by and through the witness of Jesus Christ.

Just as I believe virtue has been reduced to moral relativism or likely not thought of whatsoever, patience has been reduced to the benign act of "waiting patiently." The act of waiting has no intrinsic sinful or righteous mode to it. I wait for my body to fall asleep every night, I waited in the Sonic drive through today, and I will wait every day for the red light to turn green. Waiting is something we must do, whereas practicing biblical patience or impatience is a choice.

God's Model of Divine Patience

Scripture reveals patience as far more than a character trait; it's a reflection of God's own nature. "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).

The reasons behind God's patience toward us, James reveals, is that "the testing of your faith produces perseverance" (James 1:3). The word "testing" here doesn't mean God is trying to trip us up—it means He's refining us like gold in fire. Patience emerges not from easy circumstances but from learning to trust when everything in us wants to rush ahead or give up entirely.

Consider how Jesus modeled patience. He waited thirty years before beginning His ministry. He endured the cross "for the joy set before him" (Hebrews 12:2). Even in His suffering, He trusted the Father's timing perfectly. This is the pattern for our own patient endurance.

à Kempis wisely observes that "with God, nothing that is suffered for His sake, no matter how small, can pass without reward. Be prepared for the fight, then, if you wish to gain the victory. Without struggle you cannot obtain the crown of patience, and if you refuse to suffer you are refusing the crown. But if you desire to be crowned, fight manfully and bear up patiently. Without labor there is no rest, and without fighting, no victory."

I'll take a guess there's something or someone you're struggling with today. Instead of focusing on what's wrong with the situation or person involved, ask God, "What are You teaching me through this delay?" Practice gratitude for the opportunity to grow in patience, remembering that suffering is the building material of Eternal Rewards.

Always improve the present moment.